Doing El Camino...as an atheist.

Funny, I had some of the same thoughts.
I think it would be great to do that for the history and culture.
But religion is such a divisive force, I am not sure I could stomach
a lot of religious fanatics, and the movie version I'm sure sanitized
it some - after all really none of the character in the movie was
religious … Sheen was probably the most.
I'd really like to do it, and who knows, I think I might.
Certainly better and more likely to live through than a pilgrimage
to Mecca! ;-)

Brilliant!!!! Bola ole son I must take my hat off to you. Im sure you must be trolling?? But it was worth it. throw in the ole "religion" card and watch them all go. Ag's Ath's and of course the believers. they can NEVER let it ride. A bite everytime. Imagine the time effort suffering and blood spent by both sides over the years? Imagine that put to genuine good use?? Amazing. Personally, Id love to do the walk for the exercise and stunning countryside. :o)

I'm non-religious as well, but don't see the journey as seeking god, but seeking yourself. I've never done anything remotely like El Camino, but suspect a trek that long does provide remarkable opportunities for introspection and meditation, no? The magic of journey is the process itself, for whatever it brings to the individual making it.

I am an atheist/agnostic, and the son of a minister. I grew up in Boston.

But, there are plenty of reasons to do this trip. Do it as a hiker! Do it is as a nature-lover. And a lover of adventure. There are terrific cities to see, landscapes, and interesting people to meet.

Just tune out the religious aspects, if you need to. That's what I would do. Up to a point. Religion is also a part of the regions culture, the language, and getting to know the history of the place. On that level, I find it very interesting.

I won't ever personally, believe in god. But, I've learned to let go of these things, and be less angry. You will miss out on a lot of friendships if you write off religious people, which it doesn't sound like you have.

As Chistopher Hitchens might say, "Live all you can. It's a mistake not to." I think that's a sentiment atheists and religious people can get behind, even if Hitchens is not a believer.

Hello,
All i want to tell you, is that if you really feel you want to do it, DO IT!!!
Life is to short to denie yourself the experience.
It's a known fact , that when people lie on their deathbed, a lot of those people feel sorry for the things they didn't do, when they had the time.
That's why i say, do it, if you haven't by now already.

Did you end up doing it?

For what it's worth, my girlfriend's mother is doing it every year and you'd have a hard time finding someone who believe LESS in religion or God than her.
She's made a lot of friends every year, some religious, most not religious.
The first time she did it, it was for the landscape but she says it ended up being for the journey and she learned a lot about herself on the road.

So if you're worried you're going to get harassed by religious nutjobs trying to convert you, don't be.

For every lie I unlearn I learn something new - Ani Difranco

It's a chance to participate in an ancient tradition. It doesn't really matter if it is a pagan or xtian thing, it's human.

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